Angle connector for trough systems



d- 1953 F. G. w. ULLBERG, JR 2,656,999

ANGLE CONNECTQR FOR TROUGH SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 15, 1951 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 27, 1953 2,656,999 ANGLE CONNECTOR FOR TROUGH SYSTEMS Frederick G. W. Ullberg, Jr., assignor to T. J. Cope, Inc.,

Philadelphia, Pa., Philadelphia, Pa.,

a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 15, 1951, Serial No. 256,462 1 Claim. (01. 248-68) This invention relates to angle connectors for co-planar straight-away trough units of systems designed for the support of cables or the like in telegraph, telephone and power stations, etc.

My invention is directed in the main, toward the provision of a simple and inexpensive connector which is easily applied to confronting ends of two straight-away co-planar trough sections and which will allow of easy adjustment of such sections to various angles in relation to each other.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing two angularly-arranged co-planar trough sections joined by a connector of my invention.

Fig. 2 shows the organization of Fig. 1 in top plan.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows III-III in Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the component parts of the connector; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of straps provided for use in securing the connector components to the confronting ends of the trough sections.

With more detailed reference, first more particularly to Figs. l-3 of these illustrations, the two angularly-disposed straight-away co-planar trough sections, designated l and II respectively, are shown as fashioned from reticulate material which, for example, may be of expanded metal, the upstanding longitudinal side flanges l2 and I3 of the same being reinforced by lapfolded finishing strips 14 of plain sheet metal.

The angle connector with which the present invention is more especially concerned, comprises two components l and I6 which are separately shown in perspective in Figs. 4 and 5, and which are adapted to be attached to the respective confronting ends of trough sections Ill and II in a manner later explained. Like trough sections 10, the connector component 15 is of straight away channel configuration but fashioned from plain sheet material (metal) with side flanges l1 and I8, upstanding from its bottom I9. Adjacent one end, the side flanges I1 and I8 are pierced as at 20, and the bottom is is provided in the same transverse vertical plane with a plurality of spaced apertures 2|.

Connector component I6 is likewise fashioned from plain sheet metal to channel configuration with a relatively short straight portion having a correspondingly short upstanding flange '23 at one side. The bottom 25 of component l6 has an extension of quadrant configuration with a straight edge 25a in line with said flange 23, and a curved edge 25b in tangential relation to the opposite side flange 24, the latter being prolonged by a distance equal to the length of the are 2522, as best shown in Fig. 5. Adjacent one end, the side flanges of component It are pierced as at 26 and 26a, and the bottom is provided in the same transverse plane with a plurality of spaced apertures 2'1.

Affixed to corresponding ends of the flanges l8 and 23 of components l5 and it are mating hinge plates 28 and 29 respectively through which a pintle is passed to pivotally unite said components, with the extended portion of the bottom of component [6 overlapping an extended portion l9a the bottom [9 of component l5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and with the prolongation of flange 24 outwardly lapping the flange 11. Attention is directed to the fact that the rounded edge 25b of the quadrant extension of the bottom of component It has its center of curvature in the hinge axis.

To install the connector, the apertured ends of its components I5 and I 6 are abutted in alignment with the confronting ends of the straightaway trough sections [0 and H. Component [0 is made fast with the aid of the U-shaped clamp straps 30 and 3| which are separately illustrated in perspective in Figs. 6 and '7. As shown, strap 30 is provided in each of its upright end portions with a pair of laterally spaced apertures 32, 32a, and in its horizontal portion with two rows of spaced apertures 33, 33a in the transverse vertical planes of said apertures 32 and 32a. Strap 3| is similarly provided in each of its upright end portions with a pair of laterally spaced apertures 35 and 35a, and in its horizontal portion with rows of spaced apertures 36 and 36a in the transverse vertical planes of said apertures 35 and 35a. After connector [5 has been placed in position as above explained, strap 30 is applied from above, and strap 3| applied from below, so that their apertures 32, 33, and 35, 36 register respectively with the apertures 20 and 2| in the upstanding flanges and bottom of connector component I 5, whereupon securing rivets or bolts 31 are passed through the registered apertures and made fast, and similar securing devices 38 passed through the then registering apertures 32a, 33a and 35a, 36 and the intervening lapped edge margins of the reticulate side flanges and bottom of trough section In as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It is to be particularly observed that the upstanding end portions of the straps 30 and 3| reach up to the finishing straps H on the side flanges of trough unit In. Connector component It is secured to straight away trough section I I in a like manner with the aid of another pair of straps which are identical with the straps 3i] and 3! as also shown in Fig. 2.

If desired or found more convenient, the connector components 15 and I6 may be separately assembled with the trough sections l and H initially, the two assemblages then placed with the hinge wings 28 and 2-9= registered, and. the hinge pintle finally passed through the latter.

With the foregoing accomplished, theunits H1- and II can be adjusted about the hingeaxis of the connector to any desired angular relationship as will be readily apparent from Fig.1; whereupon the extended portion of flange 24 of component I6 is bent around into overlapping relation with the flange H of component l5 and made fast by means of a. bolt or rivet 35:.

Having thus described my invention, 1. claim:

An adjustable angle connector for interposition between the confronting ends of two straightaway trough uni ts fashioned from reticulate metal and having longitudinally fold'ed narrow reinforcing strips of plain sheet metal secured over the top edges of their side flanges, said connector comprising two mating trough section components fashioned from metal, one endedge of a side flange of one component being connected' bya vertical axis hinge in abutting rela- 4 tion to the end edge of the corresponding side flange of the other component, the first component being straight throughout, the other component having a relatively short straight portion of a length equal to that of its hinged side flange and a bottom extended beyond the transverse plane through the hinge axis to lap the bottom of the first component, extmded portion being of quadrant configuration with respect to the hinge axis, the portion of the upstanding flange of said other component being detached fromthe. curved edge of the quadrant bottom extension to lap the corresponding side flange of the first component, and a pair of U shaped clamp'elements respectively applied from above and from below to marginally overlap the abuttingaends of theoonnector components and of the trough units, with their upstanding ends lapping the side flanges of the connector components and trough units and extending up to the reinforcing edge strips on the side flanges of the trough units.

FREDERICK G'. W. ULLBERG, J 3.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 162,832 Lafferty May 4,. 18715. 14533341 McDonald June 21, 192'! 1,724,548 Barcus Aug.. 13,: 1929 

